46 COLEOPTERA. 



margin of the elytra, testaceous ; the thorax is broader in 

 proportion to the width of the elytra, not so much narrowed 

 behind, the posterior angles more rounded, and the basal 

 fovese more punctured ; the elytra also are rather larger than 

 in S. dor sails. 



I have examined the specimen above mentioned, and 

 decidedly agree with Mr. Sharp in referring it to S. hrun- 

 nipes, Sturm, as it exhibits all the above-mentioned cha- 

 racters ; and, if we are right in so doing (which I see no 

 reason to doubt), there is an excuse for at least suspecting 

 that brunnipes and dorsalis are not specifically distinct. 



The obstacle of colour is removed by the existence of dark 

 specimens of dorsalis from very nearly the same locality as 

 Mr. Sharp's, and there then remains the difference of the 

 thorax to account for, as the slight variation in length of the 

 elytra cannot (even if always present, or if not partially an 

 optical deception, owing to the difference of colour) be 

 considered a sufficient specific character. The thorax in 

 Mr. Sharp's insect seems broader than in ordinary dorsalis, 

 chiefly owing to its not being so much narrowed behind; 

 but I possess an example, identical in colour and other 

 respects with it, in which the thorax is narrowed behind, as 

 in dorsalis. My specimen (given me by Mr. H. Montague) 

 is similar to that sent to Dr. Schaum as the S. derelictus 

 of Dawson, and returned as dorsalis, dark var. The punc- 

 tuation of the fovese at the base varies in S. dorsalis, and 

 would certainly appear stronger on a dark thorax than on a 

 light one. 



As regards S. derelictus, I may add that the Rev. J. F. 

 Dawson has promised to let me examine his type, which (as 

 mentioned by me in a former Annual) he avers to be different 

 from any soi-disant exponents of his species. 



